Sections - Tips & Tricks

Velcome to ze "Tips 'n' Tricks" bit - Here's a variety of tips from all areas of studio, midi & live work. The emphasis here is not just about tricks to get sounds, but also ideas to save money or time.

But surely YOU have soom real cool tips to share with your comrades in arms of the music world?! - Feel free to add your own money-saving or technique tips!

Check out some of the Tips below, or add your own & hey!... don't forget, there are plenty of FX-Tips in the Articles section too!

Find a cheezy old keychain or toy device with any sound effects. Take it apart and wire it through the mixer in high input and hit record.

Watch a television program with interesting background music (cartoons, history channel, etc.) When you hear a part where there's no dialogue push record and you might be able to catch a good sample to loop.

Mess with the sound test options on video game consoles (Atari 2600, SNES, Sega Genesis, etc.) and sample them. Emulators should work as well.

Go to the electronics dept. at a thrift store. You might find a cheesy keyboard or an old chord organ. Those are good for sampling also.

Take a stereo-capable microphone into your garage. Find some really loud equipment that sounds percussive or sounds like it could be used for a melody. Metal and glass make good bass and synth sounds.